“The Duchess de Montejasi with Her Daughters, Elena and Camilla,” is an oil on canvas painting by Edgar Degas, dated around 1876. Measuring 66 x 98 cm, it falls within the Impressionist art movement and is categorized as a portrait. Currently, this work is part of a private collection.
In the painting, we see three figures positioned against a soft, hazy background that is characteristic of Impressionist works, where bold outlines are typically rejected in favor of a more atmospheric rendering. The figures are seated, appearing to be in an interior setting. The Duchess is situated to the right, dressed in dark attire, with an almost melancholic expression on her face, exuding a sense of pensiveness or preoccupation. To her right are presumably her daughters, Elena and Camilla, also in dark clothing, which contrasts with the lighter tones of the background. The figures are united not only by their familial bond but also by the somber colors of their attire and the subdued atmosphere of the scene. Degas’ brushwork grants a sense of immediacy and intimacy to the portrait, while the lack of direct engagement with the viewer invites contemplation on the part of the observer.
